Covid-19 Thailand – Latest Updates (8th July, 2020)

Covid-19 Latest

Cases – 3,197 (+ 2)    Recovered – 3,074 (+ 2)   Hospitalised – 65    Died – 58

Thailand lifts travel ban partially; rapid Covid tests for arrivals

After a three-month ban, Thailand reopened its borders on July 1 for select categories of residents and international travellers.

Thailand is implementing its screening and quarantine measures for international arrivals into the country.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, restrictions on who can enter into the kingdom remains in place.

The following categories of travellers are allowed into the country:

• Thai nationals
• Individuals who were invited by the prime minister or authorities responsible for the emergency
• The spouse, parents, or children of a Thai national
• Foreigners with residency rights in Thailand
• Foreign spouses and children of work permit holders
• Individuals carrying necessary goods, who must leave the country immediately after their work is done
• Drivers and staff of vehicles that have to carry out necessary or important missions in Thailand and have a clear schedule for leaving
• International students and their guardians
• Foreigners and their carers seeking non-Covid-19 medical treatment in Thailand
• The staff of embassies, consulates, international organisations or representatives of foreign governments who have to carry out their mission in Thailand as allowed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as their spouses, parents and children
• Foreigners who are allowed to enter Thailand as per special arrangements

Full Story: BusinessTraveller

COVID-19 does not stop Thai Church’s work on behalf of migrants & refugees

Work went on during pandemic despite “restrictions,” Catholic volunteer noted. Volunteers and some refugees helped to make masks and sanitisers. People in urgent need are “fragile,” said a priest in Bangkok. Health crisis has increased inequalities.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) – The emergency caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, which the Thai government has better tackled than others, including its neighbours, has not stopped the Church from helping migrants and refugees.

Sawanya Manitkul, a staff member of the Victims and refugee relief Department (VRD) of the Archdiocese of Bangkok, said that his agency continued to work during COVID-19. Despite restrictions on camp visits, volunteers contribute to “the production of masks and cleaning solutions” which are difficult to find and cost a lot.

The Catholic volunteer spoke about the awareness-raising action undertaken to improve knowledge about the virus and show people, especially the weakest groups, how to protect themselves during the pandemic.

In this situation of mutual aid, some of the more experienced refugees “helped us to make masks”. Indeed, it was a source of “pride” for Sawanya Manitkul to see how “migrants were not just waiting for help” but “shared their food with those who had nothing to eat”. They are extraordinary models “in times of crisis and bring us consolation.”

Full Story: AsiaNews